Dear North Penn Families, Staff, and Community Members,
Last night was possibly one of the most important meetings in the history and future of the North Penn School District. For approximately 90 minutes, district administrators and our contracted architects and financial advisors presented to the school board a recommendation that, if moved forward, would impact and benefit the people of this community for generations to come.
Outlined for all those attending and watching online was a recommendation to re-imagine how our education is delivered at the high school level. The detailed presentation included both plans for building additions at the Valley Forge Road school to accommodate 9th grade students, and to renovate the existing, 52-year-old building to better innovate and inspire students and staff through the 21st century. The presentation also included the project’s total cost, the estimated cost to taxpayers, and information regarding a voter referendum that would be needed to fund the project.
We certainly recognize the scope and magnitude of this project and the fact that this renovation and potential expansion will require significant funding. This is due to many factors including the age of the building and construction costs.
Inaction is not an option. Much of the school’s infrastructure, roofing, pipes, HVAC and more are original to the 1971 building. Presented last night was also a second option, not much less expensive to the taxpayer on an annual basis, that would address and correct the basic needs of the school but would eliminate the proposed innovative changes that the initial recommendation encompasses.
I am grateful for the feedback we received at yesterday’s meeting and look forward to more. Amy Hawthorne, a parent to children in high school, middle school and elementary school noted, “Ninth graders in this district are in limbo. They are not really high school students and they are not really middle school students. I think that is a huge disservice to this community. This Is about the children. It is about our future and I do think that North Penn is on the right page. It would be awesome if our community could come together and make this project happen sooner rather than later.”
Additionally, Karen Coley, a NPHS parent, said "I will gladly support a new high school and other parents like me feel the same way. While we are disappointed this wasn't done for our kids, we support the parents that come after us and their children."
It is extremely important that this community, our staff and students, take the time to learn about the needs of North Penn High School students and the administrative recommendation to re-imagine our future. Please take a moment to explore the NPHS Renovations Webpage that includes last night’s meeting and other presentations regarding the project. It will continue to be updated through the upcoming months.
The webpage also contains information about events we have planned to help the community understand the important issues at hand. On Monday, April 3, you are invited to Bus to North Penn’s Re-Imagined Future that will include a tour of North Penn High School and recently renovated Upper Merion High School. The goal is to show you first hand the major needs of the high school contrasted with the benefits of a re-imagined space. The registration link can be found here.
Then, on Thursday, April 13, at 6 pm at Pennbrook Middle School we will hold a community forum to include a full presentation on the options for NPHS renovations and give participants the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.
Finally, we are developing a Frequently Asked Questions list and are taking your questions via this form. I encourage you to check the renovations website frequently for answers.
I understand that there is a great deal of information to review. I continue to meet with students, staff, parents and community members in small groups to help communicate the challenges we face as a school system and administration’s ideas to address them. Working together and listening to one another, I am confident that the North Penn School District will develop a plan for the future that meets and exceeds this community’s expectations and hopes for our students.
Sincerely,
Todd M. Bauer
Superintendent